Motorcyclist dies in accident

The 27-year-old was due to compete in the Ulster Grand Prix

A motorcyclist has been killed in a collision with a car in County Londonderry.

Rikki McCready, 27, died during a charity biking event in Garvagh.

The accident happened at about 1500 BST on Sunday on the Limavady Road in the town.

Another man was injured and taken to hospital.

One of Northern Ireland's leading road racers, Mr McCready was a regular competitor in the North West 200 races.

Its clerk, Mervyn White described his death as "very very sad news".

"It is particularly sad given that it happened at a charity event where he was trying to raise money for our competitors and the sport itself," he said.

It is just so hard to take in because it was a straight part of the road and nobody can understand what happened Darren Lindsay Friend

"Rikki was an excellent competitor, a quiet likeable guy who came to the races and went away and caused no problems.

"Motorcycle racing is a dangerous sport, we have had our injuries and our fatalities, but for this to happen away from the sport makes it all the more sad."

The racer's friend Darren Lindsay, who was also taking part in the charity race said he could not understand how the accident happened.

"When I looked in my mirrors I couldn't see anybody behind and I knew something was wrong," he said.

"Me and Rikki's friend actually turned back and when we got back down the road the accident had occurred.

"It is just so hard to take in because it was a straight part of the road and nobody can understand what happened.

"Rikki was a larger than life character. There was never a dull moment with him and he's going to be badly missed."

Mr McCready is the second motorcyclist to die off the track in the past week.

Reigning British Superbike champion Steven Hislop was killed in a helicopter crash near the Scottish Borders last Wednesday.